said, "I was hasty with you. But for me, you would not
have had to undergo this wandering and danger. But I have paid the
penalty--"

"Oh, uncle," broke in Frank, "you mustn't say that. It was all our
fault, mine particularly. And it hasn't been such bad fun, after all.
I am sure we have most need to ask your forgiveness."

"You mustn't regret what has happened, captain," said De Walden. "Under
God's good providence, it has been the making of them both. But now, I
suppose, we must be setting out on our return to the Basuto village."

"I am afraid I cannot go there," said Captain Wilmore. "I have been
away a good deal longer than I had expected, as it is: and I know my
presence is urgently needed at Cape Town. I and my guides must set out
homewards without loss of time--as soon, that is, as the lads are
prepared to accompany me."

"I am ready to go this moment," said Frank.

"And so am I," added Gilbert. "That's well," said the captain. "Frank,
I haven't told you that I have got a commission for you in a line
regiment now at the Cape. Sir David Baird signed it the day I came
away. That's good news, isn't it?"

"The best there could be, thank you, uncle," returned Frank, joyously.

"And you, Nick, what do you say? Will you be put on the quarter-deck of
the _Atlantic_--that's my new ship;--and rated as a midshipman?"

"I should like nothing better, sir," answered Gilbert, almost as much
pleased as Frank. "Thank you very much for your kindness!"

"That's well," again said the captain. "And you too," he continued,
turning to Lavie and Warley. "Do you mean to return with me to Cape
Town, or with Mr De Walden to the Basutos? You will not be wanted, you
know, Lavie, for two months yet; so you can stay behind awhile, if you
choose."

"Thank you, captain, I should like to have a good talk with Warley about
his prospects; he does not, as yet, know the change that has taken place
in them. And besides, I haven't stood the journey as well as you have.
I think I shall remain a week or two with Mr De Walden before following
you."

They shook hands accordingly, and went their several ways. De Walden,
accompanied by Lavie and Warley, returned to the village; where, after a
few days of rest, they were enabled to arrange their plans for the
future.

"Ernest," said Lavie one morning, after they had just returned in
company with De Walden from an inspection of the native school, "I am
glad I delayed telling